The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-12-07
TIE WAR OFFICE
Reports Of the Work Performed in Secretary
Endlcutt's Office.
Defences Need Looking After-The Army
Should be Iocreased-Rive and Harbor
ImprOvemeuts-NOtes

1
ditures made by the Department during
the last fiscal year amounted to S4l, 1856,
l65. The estimates for the next fiscal year
aggregate $50, 1893, 40, against an appropri-
aJion for the present year OF $31, 055. 302.
| The increase is caused by the incorpora'
tion of an estimate of So, 3S9, Isl for pub.
lie work, including river and harbor i'm
| provements, the expenditures on this &C
count for the current year amounting to
only 81 .308. 400 There Is also an increase
OF about 81, 100000 in the esti-
mate for the military establish
ment and the army aud Military
Acadamy. The Secretary says: "rhe estl-
mates for salaries and contingent EXPENSE
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1889,
are considerably less than the appropria-
ton for the current year. The estimates
for the military establishment are based
upon the actual requirements OF the ar
| vice. During recent years the appropriR-
| ton for transportation of the army has
been inadequate to meet the cost of trans
| porting the army, and the failure to appro-
| pirate funds Tor that service has caused
much embarrassment and greatly increased
the labor in settling such accounts. The
estimates for improving rivers and harbors
represent the probable cost of such inn
provements Ii approved by Congress"
REPAIRs NEEDED.
The report says that the buildings, for.
tifications, public works and grounds in
the division of the Atlantic are every
where in need of repair and recon
construction, On the entire Atlantic and
Gull coast line of ESQ miles and the North
ern frontier OF > $50 miles, the sole arma-
ment is l42 rihed guns, of which. 116 are OBJ
solete and of very low power. Even the
few serviceable rihed guns that are mount
ed are of but little value. Some of them
are mounted on old carriages, and all are
without adequate protection.
The Secretary refers to Gen. Schof sld's
recommendation that at least one eight
inch muzZle loading gun, with appliances
Tor target practice, and one or more OF the
new breech loading guns aud mortars be
furnished to eacn artillery post with a
view to improvement of the artillery in
structions. He says, however, that the de-
partment is unable to comply with the re.
quest, as they have 10 guns suitable for
such target practice and technical instruc-
tions. This division is garrisoned mainly
by artillery. four-htshs of the officers and
men of that arm being stationed within
its limits. In no branch Of the service is
technical instruction and daily expert.
menus and practice in the use of it's weap-
ons more demanded than in the artillery.lt
is earnestly hoped that if guns cannot be
had for fOrTihcatiOn, appropriations can be
made Tor the purchase or manufac-
ture of enough guns 70 employ the artil-
lery and ut them for any emergency.
THE INDIANS.
Touching Geronimo and his felloy.cap.
tives, now confined at Fort PicKens and
Mt. Vernon Barracks, the report says that
they are contented, perform their work
with alacrity, and thus far their conduct
has been excellent. at this time 1t is
difficult matter to find for them a per-
manent nome. For many reasons il is inn
possible to return them to Arizona; under
existing laws they cannot be returned to
the Indian Territory, and in the North
ern reservations the climate is too cold for
them. Pending final decision, they can
remain where they are in comfort and
safety
In the division of the Missouri, during
the past year, it has been necessary to pa
troll the Oklahoma country in the Indian
Territory to keep out intruders and to pro-
tect Indian reservations. A considerable
bodyof troops have been constantly en-
gagged in this duty, and there have been
serious disturbances.
A brief history is included in the report
of the difficulty that arose in August last
in Colorado between the State authorities
and Colorow's band of L tes and it is said
that some effort should certainly be made
for the restitution of the property to the
Indians.
The Secretary strongly approves of the
recommendation contained in General
Sneridan's report, touching the extension
of all possible aid by the General Govern
ment to the National Guard OF the differ
emit States, and suggesting a system of
national encampments for State militia at
the entire expense of the National Govern
ment.
Attention is called to the fact that the
Pacific coast is destitute of Notifications
guns and armament Of every scription,
while San Francisco is without a single
gun which can be fred with safety with
present charges of powder and modern
prOjectiles. Favorable indorsemsnt is
also given to the Lieutenant-G Generals
recommendation that the present strength
| of the army be increased by 5, 200 men and
particular attention is called to the i'm
| portance of an increase of the artillery arm
| Of the service, aud certain changes Ia the
| present organizations of artillery Tegi.
| ments.
| SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION.
The schools of instruction, the Secretary
says, afford admirable post. graduate
courses of study and it will be necessary,
as it is desirable, that every officer shonld
take his tour of study, in order that be may
~
that the bill introduced in the Senate al
the last session Of requiring the ezamina.
ton of officers for promotion may be
passed by Congress. He thinks that the
permanently disabled officers should be al
once retired, and hopes that Congress will
authorize sufficient increas of the retired
list to accomplish the purpose.
An illustrated catalogue of the army
medical museum, he says, would be o
great value to science. A large portion o
it is already prepared, and authority FROM
Congress to publish it is earnestly re
, quested. A larger appropriation for bind
ing is urgently required.
The Secretary suggests that the numbe
| OF c0urt-maftial trials can be much reduces
if provision be made for punishment O
minor odenses without summoniRg
court martial, as indicated in the annus
, | report Of 1886. The Secretary reneWs tn
= accommodation in regard 20 the enact
/ ment Of laws for the punishment of civil
ian witnesses who refuse to testify; 10
l authority to secure the assistance of civ
9 ilians and police officers In arresting an
' holding deserters, and for the revision
the articles of war. which have RENAME
q substantia unaltsred here, while in En-
q land and elsewhere military codes hay
Q been modified in accordance with the r
d Cuirements OF modern times.
n The Secretary hopes to submit for h
L consideration of the proper committee
u Congress some drafts Of enactments dealir
with these amendments to the law. III
Secretary also recommends legislation re